Running Stormlance

[Apokalypsi]

Last night I had a friendly game against Grey Knights at 2k points. I only ran two min squads of TWC, but Stormlance still was devastating. SW won 84-60.

 

Ragnar w/ 10-man Blood Claws

Judiciar w/ 6-man Bladeguard Vets

2x 5-man Hellblaster packs each in an Impulsor w/ shield dome

2x 5-man Hounds of Morkai packs

6-man Long Fang squad w/ 4x Lascannons and 1 Missile Launcher

Redemptor w/ Macro-Plasma, rocket pod, and underslung gatling

2x 3-man TWC packs

5-man WG Termies w/ storm bolters, power fists, and cyclone

10-man Wulfen w/ 6 shields and 4 claws

 

We played Scorched Earth w/ Secret Intel mission and Search and Destroy deployment. The Wulfen and TWC were monsters. Wulfen took out a Grandmaster Dreadknight along with anything else they touched. TWC were so tanky they did most of my actions or took out riff raff on objectives. Judiciar/BGV were able to run around my end of the board to stomp anything that needed to stay away from my objective. Ragnar/BC held the middle area from anyone. Being able to advance and charge with everything made missions pretty easy to achieve. I nearly maxed out Primary and completely denied Grey Knights holding any. He only got 10pts off controlling primary. Nothing got razed unfortunately.

 

I can see why pro players are saying go full TWC, but even the 2 packs I took did serious work. Adding a WGBL into each for Lethal would really up their offensive power. I'm definitely going to be buying 2-3 more boxes of TWC when I can. I don't think another pack of Wulfen will be very beneficial. I'm thinking 1x 10-man or 2x 5-man is the sweet spot.

[yan]

How do you play the hellblasters and the long fangs? You start them on the table?  And why would you pay 30pts more for longfangs instead of devastators?

[Karhedron]

1 hour ago, yan said:

How do you play the hellblasters and the long fangs? You start them on the table?  And why would you pay 30pts more for longfangs instead of devastators?

 

That is a good point. If you are running a Champions of Russ detachment, you cannot take Devastators. But if you are running a Space Wolves Stormlance, there is nothing to stop you taking Devastators. Maybe this will not last when we get our full codex but for the moment, we might as well take advantage of it.

[Rune Priest Jbickb]

That 30 points does come with an extra gun...

[Karhedron]

56 minutes ago, Rune Priest Jbickb said:

That 30 points does come with an extra gun...

 

Unfortunately it does not. A 5-man Dev squad with 4 heavy weapons costs 120 points. A 5-man LF squad with 4 heavy weapons costs 150 points for no obvious reason. A 6-man LF squad with 5 heavy weapons costs 180 points. So to get one more heavy weapon than Devastators costs an extra 60 points. 

[Apokalypsi]

5 hours ago, yan said:

How do you play the hellblasters and the long fangs? You start them on the table?  And why would you pay 30pts more for longfangs instead of devastators?

Hellblasters were each in an impulsor. Blew them up before I ever got the hellblasters out to start shooting. They were on my opponents front line first turn blocking his Land Raider. Long Fangs started on the table, ran to a ruin for good shooting lanes. Sometimes I'll run them in a drop pod.

 

Originally had a Termie with the Long Fangs. I changed a few things around, dropped the Termie but forgot to change to Devs. Would've thrown in a scout squad.

[DoctorCrow]

Hi (I have been gone for a while.) But Stormlance seems perfect for space wolves based on thunder wolves.

In my experience such a list will either rely on long ranged shooting support (clearing chaff, open tanks, take out backline glasscannons) or really commit to the attack. (Like orks or world eaters do.) The lists starts with 18 thunderwolves and then you go from there. If you are commiting anything less then you are probably better off in gladius witch gives better allround support and the bolter disipline trick.

But how are greyhunters looking? The stormlance really looks like the perfect support for them. (Two special wepaons per 5, and one powerfist. Can advance and fall back and shoot. With stormlance you can advance and fall back and charge.) I am just not shure if grey hunters are what marine armies want to bring? Most marie armies bring more elite specialists. 

 

Edit: I also stand corrected. There must be some stormlance armies that start with either the Thunderhawk or the Stormraven. The -1 to hit and to wound stratagem on flyers will shurley be strong on them. The Thunderhawk will be impossible to kill. But the stormraven will be quite strong. It can also hold any dreadnought. This includes both murderfang, brutalis or redeemer dreadnought.

Edited October 20, 2023 by DoctorCrow
Epifany

[Karhedron]

I have a soft spot for Grey Hunters as I think they are one of the better Battleline units in the Marine lineup. 2 Special weapons and a Power Fist & Plasma pistol on the Pack Leader makes them pretty good at shooting. Their Chainswords give them the same attacks with better AP than Intercessors and they are OC2 for nabbing Objectives. That is quite a decent package for 85 points. If they are on foot you can add a Wolf Guard Pack leader in Teminator armour with an Assault Cannon or Cyclone Missile Launcher for 40 points which significantly boosts both their melee and shooting output.

[Rune Priest Jbickb]

23 hours ago, Karhedron said:

 

Unfortunately it does not. A 5-man Dev squad with 4 heavy weapons costs 120 points. A 5-man LF squad with 4 heavy weapons costs 150 points for no obvious reason. A 6-man LF squad with 5 heavy weapons costs 180 points. So to get one more heavy weapon than Devastators costs an extra 60 points. 

Oh my bad I had devs at 150 for some reason. You are very correct. 

 

12 hours ago, DoctorCrow said:

But how are greyhunters looking?

I have been running 2 squads in Razorbacks and loving them. I use them to grab forward objectives and I give them a pair of melta and power fist to get some of the lesser Elites dealt with. They are still a bit squishy but they aren't bad cost wise and there tend to be scarier threats in my list so they get ignored alot

[SvenIronhand]

See, I'm torn. I play a Ultima Founding Successor, and I've found success (my last game was a 6-2 Only War) with Firestorm in pickup games with my brother and others. But Stormlance has the more 'Wolfy' feeling out of the Codex detachments. On the other hand, however, I don't like using Thunderwolves or Bikes, so I'm locked out of all but two of the enhancements, and one of the stratagems. 

 

[Karhedron]

Stormlance does have the narrowest range of units that benefit from it. If you are not leaning into those units, other Detachments will probably offer more bang for your buck. 

[DoctorCrow]

If fire storm works then run that. It is plenty Wolfy. In 5th edition space wolves liked to fight 12" to melle range. There was much support for that kind of play.

[DoctorCrow]

Here is my attempt on a stormlance list. It is not very competetive as I run Logan who is overpriced. I also think I need better support/shooting elements.

 

Storm Lance (1985 points)

Space Marines

Space Wolves

Strike Force (2000 points)

Stormlance Task Force

 

 

CHARACTERS

 

Logan Grimnar on Stormrider (180 points)

  • Warlord

  • 1x Flurry of teeth and claws

    1x Storm bolter

    1x The Axe Morkai

 

Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (90 points)

  • 1x Bolt Pistol

    1x Crushing teeth and claws

    1x Relic weapon

  • Enhancement: Hunter’s Instincts

 

Wolf Guard Pack Leader in Terminator Armour (40 points)

  • 1x Chainfist

    1x Cyclone missile launcher

    1x Storm bolter

 

Wolf Guard Pack Leader in Terminator Armour (40 points)

  • 1x Chainfist

    1x Cyclone missile launcher

    1x Storm bolter

 

Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (125 points)

  • 1x Bolt Pistol

    1x Crushing teeth and claws

    1x Relic weapon

  • Enhancement: Fury of the Storm

 

 

 

BATTLELINE

 

Grey Hunters (85 points)

  • 1x Grey Hunter Pack Leader

    • 1x Bolt pistol

      1x Boltgun

      1x Close combat weapon

  • 4x Grey Hunter

    • 4x Bolt pistol

      4x Boltgun

      4x Close combat weapon

 

Grey Hunters (85 points)

  • 1x Grey Hunter Pack Leader

    • 1x Bolt pistol

      1x Boltgun

      1x Close combat weapon

  • 4x Grey Hunter

    • 4x Bolt pistol

      4x Boltgun

      4x Close combat weapon

 

 

 

OTHER DATASHEETS

 

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 points)

  • 1x Armoured feet

    1x Ballistus lascannon

    1x Ballistus missile launcher

    1x Twin storm bolter

 

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 points)

  • 1x Armoured feet

    1x Ballistus lascannon

    1x Ballistus missile launcher

    1x Twin storm bolter

 

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 points)

  • 1x Armoured feet

    1x Ballistus lascannon

    1x Ballistus missile launcher

    1x Twin storm bolter

 

Fenrisian Wolves (30 points)

  • 5x Fenrisian Wolf

    • 5x Teeth and claws

 

Fenrisian Wolves (30 points)

  • 5x Fenrisian Wolf

    • 5x Teeth and claws

 

Fenrisian Wolves (30 points)

  • 5x Fenrisian Wolf

    • 5x Teeth and claws

 

Thunderwolf Cavalry (180 points)

  • 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader

    • 1x Crushing teeth and claws

      1x Heirloom weapon

      1x Storm Shield

  • 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry

    • 5x Crushing teeth and claws

      5x Heirloom weapon

      5x Storm Shield

 

Thunderwolf Cavalry (180 points)

  • 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader

    • 1x Crushing teeth and claws

      1x Heirloom weapon

      1x Storm Shield

  • 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry

    • 5x Crushing teeth and claws

      5x Heirloom weapon

      5x Storm Shield

 

Thunderwolf Cavalry (180 points)

  • 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader

    • 1x Crushing teeth and claws

      1x Heirloom weapon

      1x Storm Shield

  • 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry

    • 5x Crushing teeth and claws

      5x Heirloom weapon

      5x Storm Shield

 

Wulfen (160 points)

  • 1x Wulfen Pack Leader

    • 1x Stormfrag auto-launcher

      1x Wulfen claws and melee weapons

  • 9x Wulfen

    • 8x Storm Shield

      9x Stormfrag auto-launcher

      1x Wulfen claws and melee weapons

      8x Wulfen hammer

 

Wulfen Dreadnought (130 points)

  • 1x Fenrisian great axe

    1x Great wolf claw

    1x Storm bolter

 

Exported with App Version: v1.6.0 (27), Data Version: v299

[Apokalypsi]

On 10/21/2023 at 7:59 PM, SvenIronhand said:

See, I'm torn. I play a Ultima Founding Successor, and I've found success (my last game was a 6-2 Only War) with Firestorm in pickup games with my brother and others. But Stormlance has the more 'Wolfy' feeling out of the Codex detachments. On the other hand, however, I don't like using Thunderwolves or Bikes, so I'm locked out of all but two of the enhancements, and one of the stratagems. 

 

I really want to see your list. I've been wanting to try Firestorm. Concerned about getting unit into combat quickly when needed.

Edited October 23, 2023 by Apokalypsi

[SvenIronhand]

23 minutes ago, Apokalypsi said:

I really want to see your list. I've been wanting to try Firestorm. Concerned about getting unit into combat quickly when needed.

Captain 

 

Ancient

 

Lieutenant

 

1x Assault Intercessors

 

1x Intercessors 

 

Flamestorm Aggressors

 

Hellblasters

 

Redemptor

 

Repulsor

 

I’ve only played 10th via 1k games, but the general idea is midfield control. Hellblasters mount up in the Repulsor with the Lieutenant and the Aggressors start on the board. The Ancient stays on an objective with the Intercessors, freeing up other units to get stuck in. 

[yan]

I hadnt much time to play yet. But this might be my take for a big gt comming end of november.

CHARACTERS

Canis Wolfborn (75 points)

Chaplain (60 points)

Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (80 points)

Wolf Guard Pack Leader in Terminator Armour (40 points)
 

Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (115 points)
  • Warlord
  • 1x Close combat weapon
    1x Crushing teeth and claws
    1x Relic Shield
    1x Thunder hammer
  • Enhancement: The Honour Vehement

 

BATTLELINE

Blood Claws (140 points)

Blood Claws (140 points)

 

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fenrisian Wolves (30 points)
 

Land Raider (240 points)
 

Land Raider Redeemer (260 points)
 

Predator Annihilator (130 points)
 

Thunderwolf Cavalry (180 points)

Thunderwolf Cavalry (180 points)

Thunderwolf Cavalry (180 points)
   

Whirlwind (145 points)
 

 

[Karhedron]

Are you taking "Fury of the Storm" rather than "Honour Vehement" on the Wolf Lord since HV is locked to the Gladius Detachment.

 

Aside from that it looks really good. I keep forgetting how good Blood Claws are on the charge, the back up your TWC nicely.

 

My only concern is that your anti-tank looks a bit light. It might be worth swapping out the LR Redeemer for another regular Land Raider to squeeze another 4 lascannon shots in there.

[Karhedron]

Grey Hunters also work really well in Stormlance as they can Advance and Shoot or Fall Back and Shoot. Putting them in Stormlance means that they can Advance, Shoot and Charge or Fall Back, Shoot and Charge making them incredibly flexible,

[yan]

On 10/26/2023 at 11:53 PM, Karhedron said:

Are you taking "Fury of the Storm" rather than "Honour Vehement" on the Wolf Lord since HV is locked to the Gladius Detachment.

 

Aside from that it looks really good. I keep forgetting how good Blood Claws are on the charge, the back up your TWC nicely.

 

My only concern is that your anti-tank looks a bit light. It might be worth swapping out the LR Redeemer for another regular Land Raider to squeeze another 4 lascannon shots in there.

 

Yes your right! Forgot to edit the enchancents.

 

And your also probably right about the land raider. I need to be able to delete a land raider myself in one turn i think.

And with the nerf on oaths and removed the techmarine from my previous list its allready gedding harder.

I just think the redeemer is so cool.

But probably have enough anti infantry attacks in melee.

And it saves me some points again.

[TiguriusX]

Decided to test stormlance and Logan on a sled

Had a fun time with it...TWC are kamikaze sacrifice pieces that let everyone else have a moment of peace for a turn

 

Spoiler

++ Army Roster (Imperium - Adeptus Astartes - Space Wolves) [2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size: 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit)

Detachment: Stormlance Task Force

Show/Hide Options: Agents of the Imperium are visible, Imperial Knights are visible, Legends are visible, Titans are visible, Unaligned Forces are visible, Unaligned Fortifications are visible

+ Epic Hero +

Logan Grimnar on Stormrider [180pts]: Flurry of teeth and claws, Storm Bolter, The Axe Morkai

Murderfang [170pts]: Heavy Flamer, Storm bolter, The Murderclaws

+ Character +

Librarian in Phobos Armour [70pts]: Bolt Pistol, Force Weapon, Smite, Warlord

Librarian in Phobos Armour [70pts]: Bolt Pistol, Force Weapon, Smite

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon [70pts]: Combi-weapon, Paired Combat Blades

Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf [90pts]: Crushing teeth and claws, Hunter's Instincts, Thunder hammer

. Storm shield and close combat weapon: Close combat weapon

Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf [100pts]: Crushing teeth and claws, Thunder Hammer

. Relic shield and close combat weapon: Close combat weapon

+ Infantry +

Hounds of Morkai [180pts]

. 10x Hound of Morkai: 10x Morkai bolt pistol, 10x Morkai combat knife

Infiltrator Squad [100pts]: Helix Gauntlet, Infiltrator Comms Array

. Infiltrator Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine
. 4x Infiltrators: 4x Bolt Pistol, 4x Close Combat Weapon, 4x Marksman Bolt Carbine

+ Mounted +

Thunderwolf Cavalry [90pts]

. 3x Thunderwolf w/ storm shield: 3x Crushing teeth and claws, 3x Heirloom weapon, 3x Storm shield

Thunderwolf Cavalry [90pts]

. 3x Thunderwolf w/ storm shield: 3x Crushing teeth and claws, 3x Heirloom weapon, 3x Storm shield

+ Beast +

Fenrisian Wolves [30pts]

. 5x Fenrisian Wolf: 5x Teeth and claws

Fenrisian Wolves [30pts]

. 5x Fenrisian Wolf: 5x Teeth and claws

+ Vehicle +

Land Raider Redeemer [260pts]: Armoured Tracks, 2x Flamestorm Cannon, Hunter Killer Missile, Multi-melta, Storm Bolter, Twin Assault Cannon

Vindicator [190pts]: Armoured Tracks, Demolisher Cannon, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter

Vindicator [190pts]: Armoured Tracks, Demolisher Cannon, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter

+ Allied Units +

Callidus Assassin [90pts]: Neural shredder, Phase sword and poison blades

++ Total: [2,000pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe (https://battlescribe.net)

 

 

The key to this list is the hunter's instinct allowing Logan to arrive from strategic reserves on turn 1

 

Logan on the sled running wild on the enemy backfield simply can't be ignored

 

In my game today v Blood Angel Firestorm I rapid ingressed Logan top of turn 1 and popped Logan's special rule bottom of turn 1 and went YOLO

 

Everything with melee that could reach an enemy did so 

 

Logan and friends crashed into death company and killed all but Lemartes

TWC Lord made it into disembarked infernus and killed 3/5 (the rest of his squad burned up to LRR overwatch but I was fine with that b/c it meant Murderfang was safe to run out)

Speaking of...Murderfang crashed into the LRR and tank shocked it for 6 then sliced it to bits

 

Murderfang got focused down and the TWC got hit hard turn 2 with only the TWC characters and Logan surviving

 

But my vindicators and LRR were untouched so on my turn I pounded his forces hard

 

This list puts instant pressure on the opponent and never lets up...just keep units on the middle objectives while this is happening and try to win on primary

 

Can't wait to take it out in round 2

Edited November 15, 2023 by TiguriusX

[Rune Priest Jbickb]

I have also found that the best feature of stormlance is the immediate pressure placed on your opponent. I have found it very fun personally. 

[jpwyrm]

Oh! That list with two Vindicators looks very fun. I want to try running my two Vindy again, I'm going for Vanguard Spearhead at the moment, but that list is just awesome! I know it probably is a lot less competitive, but have you considered running a Stormraven instead of the LRR given how durable they can be in a Stormlance? It could also ferry Murderfang around if needed.

[TiguriusX]

4 hours ago, jpwyrm said:

Oh! That list with two Vindicators looks very fun. I want to try running my two Vindy again, I'm going for Vanguard Spearhead at the moment, but that list is just awesome! I know it probably is a lot less competitive, but have you considered running a Stormraven instead of the LRR given how durable they can be in a Stormlance? It could also ferry Murderfang around if needed.

 

Overwatch with the LRR is the best thing about the unit

The flamestorm cannons can wipe out specific types of units and just hard counter their usage

 

 

 

[lonewolf81]

I want to test this list with stormlance in 1000pts

 

100 wolf lord on thunderwolf  (hammer/shield) leading

 

180 6xthunderwolves with shields 

 

250 1xStormwolf (2xtwin multimelta, lascannon, hellfrost) carrying

 

(2x95) 2x3man eradicators to midfield

 

85 5xincursors 

 

120 5xdevastators (4xlascannons)

 

75 3xeliminators (3xlasfusils)

 

1000 points

 

You get -1 to hit and wound on both thunderwolves and the stormwolf on the same turn if you need it. The stormwolf carries the eradicators midfield. Incursors give +1 to hit and can advance and charge to tie a unit up. Devastators and eliminators capture base objectives and provide long range fire support

 

 

[Karhedron]

That's a lot of hitting power in 1000 points. My only slight concern is that against hordes, you are relying on your TWC to do the clearance but maybe that is an acceptable risk.